The song was used in an advertising campaign for Apple's iPod and iTunes Store while Coldplay performed the song live for the first time at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards. Two versions of the music video were released, one directed by Hype Williams, and the other, an homage to the music video for Depeche Mode's Enjoy the Silence, by Anton Corbijn.
Unlike the typical arrangement of Coldplay songs, in which the piano and/or guitar dominate, "Viva la Vida" mostly consists of a string section playing the song's upbeat riff, along with a steady bass drum beat, bass guitar, and Chris Martin's vocals.
Coldplay were the first British group to hit #1 on the Hot 100 for over ten years. The previous British group to top the US singles chart was the Spice Girls with Wannabe in February 1997. (See http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=11520 for plenty more trivia on "Viva La Vida"). The California based hip-hop/reggae band Dirtyheads cover this song.
The BBC reported on December 5, 2008 that Coldplay were being sued over this song by Joe Satriani for plagiarism of his tune If I Could Fly.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7766683.stm
"Viva La Vida" is the title track from Coldplay's hugely successful fourth studio album. It shot to the top spot in the UK charts on download sales alone scoring the band their first ever UK number one single in June 2008.
Viva la Vida
Coldplay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh (you take it, you take it)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh (louder, louder)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead, long live the king
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
Missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me inThat shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
I'm just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
Now, I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin'
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin'
Be my mirror, my sword, shield
Missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Lights up)
(Come on, come on, come on)
(I can't hear)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin' (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin' (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Be my mirror, my sword, shield (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Missionaries in a foreign field (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
For some reason I can't explain (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh (everybody put your hands in the air)
(Everybody put your hands in the air, please everybody, put your hands in the air)
The song Viva la Vida by Coldplay reflects on the fleeting nature of power and the consequences that come with it. The opening line "I used to rule the world" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the lyrics detail the downfall of a once-great king. The lyrics suggest that the king's power was not sustainable and was reliant on the foundation of "pillars of salt and pillars of sand."
The chorus "I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing, Roman cavalry choirs are singing" suggests that despite the king's fall from power, he is still longing for the glory days. He wants to be surrounded by his loyal followers and the grandeur of his reign, represented by the ringing bells and singing choirs.
The song also touches on the idea of betrayal, as the king laments "once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word." This suggests that as his power waned, those he trusted turned on him, and his fall from grace was all the more painful as a result.
Overall, Viva la Vida is a poignant commentary on the nature of power and its inevitable end. The lyrics are emotive and thought-provoking, leaving the listener with a sense of melancholy and contemplation.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to rule the world
I was once in complete control of everything and everyone around me
Seas would rise when I gave the word
My power and influence were so great that even nature itself responded to my commands
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
I am now isolated and have no one to share my power with
Sweep the streets I used to own
I am reduced to performing menial tasks in the places that were once under my control
I used to roll the dice
I used to take risks and live life on the edge
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
My opponents were once terrified of me and my power
Listen as the crowd would sing
My subjects and followers used to adore me and sing my praises
Now the old king is dead, long live the king
Although my reign has ended, someone else has taken my place and the cycle of power continues
One minute, I held the key
I once held all the power and control
Next the walls were closed on me
But then the tables turned and I became trapped and powerless
And I discovered that my castles stand
I realized that my power was built on a fragile foundation
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
And that my rule was not as solid and secure as I thought it was
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
I am aware of events happening in far-off places that signal something important is happening in the world
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Even the powerful forces of Rome are taking notice of these events
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
I need someone or something to protect and guide me
My missionaries in a foreign field
I seek out those who can spread my influence and power beyond my home
For some reason, I can't explain
I cannot understand or fully comprehend why things have turned out the way they have
Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word
After I lost my power, I never heard the truth from anyone around me
And that was when I ruled the world
My time of absolute power and control is now over
It was the wicked and wild wind
Something unpredictable and uncontrollable, like the wind, changed everything
Blew down the doors to let me in
This uncontrollable force actually allowed me to take power
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
There was great disruption and chaos as I rose to power
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Many were surprised by my rise to power and the kind of leader I turned out to be
Revolutionaries wait
There are those who oppose my rule and are waiting for an opportunity to overthrow me
For my head on a silver plate
They want to see me brought down in a public and humiliating way
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Despite my power, I am still manipulated and controlled by forces beyond my understanding
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
This life of power and control is actually empty and full of fear
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
I fear that my actions have made me unworthy of redemption or salvation
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Repeating this refrain adds emphasis and emotional depth to the lyrics
Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
This line is repeated to emphasize its importance in understanding the song's meaning
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
This line is repeated to emphasize its importance in understanding the song's meaning
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
This line is repeated to emphasize the artist's desperate need for guidance and protection
My missionaries in a foreign field
This line is repeated to emphasize the artist's need for influence and power beyond their home
For some reason I can't explain
This line is repeated to emphasize that the artist is still struggling to understand what has happened to them
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
This line is repeated to emphasize the singer's fear of damnation and punishment
Never an honest word
This line is repeated to emphasize the theme of deception and corruption in the artist's world
But that was when I ruled the world
This line is repeated to emphasize the contrast between the singer's past and present circumstances
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Wahana Musik Indonesia (WAMI)
Written by: Christopher A. J. Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rakiburrahmanayon754
And This is Coldplay,the biggest band of current world.
This is the band who writes their own music.
This is the band which produces beautiful deep lyrics and amazing melodies.
This is the band that doesn't fear trying out new patterns of music in every album.
And,Though they are so much famous and popular worldwide, all Band members are absolutely down to earth persons.
They teach you 'Love' and everything good in this world.. :)
Also, they are one of the very few bands without half naked girls on their video and still have so much popularity... Coldplay, "oh,You make me feel Alive again! Alive Again!!"
Who can hate them??!
Humanity needs more music from Coldplay.. :)
@indie414
+Ch. Rakib "biggest band of current world" No. There are more popular and WAY better bands than Coldplay out there.
"writes their own music" Most non-shit bands do this, too bad Coldplay is a shit band
"beautiful deep lyrics with amazing melodies" Listen to The Wall by Pink Floyd and get back to me
"doesn't fear trying out new patterns of music in every album" Pink Floyd, Phish, Primus, Panic! At The Disco and a million other bands do that
"Band members are absolutely down to earth persons" So are most people who aren't Kayne West
"Teach you 'Love' and everything good in the world" Love is a basic human emotion and many other bands teach lessons through their songs
"they are one of the very few bands without half naked girls on their video and still have so much popularity" Pink Floyd, Primus, Phish, Ozzy Osbourne, Beastie Boys, Cake and Daft Punk also don't do this, along with a ton of other bands
"Who can hate them" Me
"Humanity needs more music from Coldplay" We certainly do not.
@Hithere-mn3oj
“Isn’t it funny that day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different.”
-C.S. Lewis
@adustycat
That is so true Hello Peoples
@David-in4ft
C. S Lewis.., I’m reading Narnia
@biscuitburger725
Heck
@naveen007874
World is different today cos of virus... i wish we can all go back to witness those memories in front of our eyes.
@jaeloc1217
Why do I feel like nothing changes, I think they lower the quality from the videos in the past as time passes to make the new videos seem perfect. I dont know how to explain it tho, just a theory 🤷🏾♂️
@pizzaguy1343
Nostalgia is the best and worst feeling at the same time.
@zadfoe
The bad thing is it shows up in your brain’s recommendations again during class.
@averagelifeenjoyer9393
So true
@shajimathew8461
U bet...